Berendsen's Kirkcaldy site to remain open following talks with Usdaw

Date: 09 February 2018Laundry company Berendsen UK have reversed the decision to close their Kirkcaldy site following extensive consultation meetings with Usdaw. Berendsen runs New Wave Laundries on Randolph Industrial Estate and has agreed to a reduced operation in Kirkcaldy, to keep the site open, as they will move some operations to its new plant in Inchinnan.

Stewart Forrest – Usdaw Scottish Divisional Officer says: “We are pleased that the company has decided to keep their Kirkcaldy site open and ensured there are no compulsory redundancies. There will be fewer staff working in Kirkcaldy as they move to a single shift operation, with some redeployed to Inchinnan and others have chosen voluntary redundancy. We are pleased to have kept the site open, which could have resulted in the loss of 100 jobs to the area. Usdaw continues to support our members, particularly those who have opted for redundancy.”

John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “This is a good result for our members and I’d like to congratulate the Usdaw reps and officials involved. Redundancies and closures are very difficult and often traumatic processes to go through, but this shows the benefit of trade union representation in a meaningful consultation. We can’t always get as good a result as this, but we do make a difference and get a better deal for our members.”

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.